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Ultraviolet Radiation and the Athlete: Risk, Sun Safety, and Barriers to Implementation of Protective Strategies

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Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation plays a pivotal role in the development of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Numerous factors potentially place athletes at high risk for developing these cancers. Various prevention strategies ameliorate this risk, including avoiding sun exposure during peak UV exposure hours, applying sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 or above before participating in outdoor sports, wearing hats and sunglasses, and reducing exposure with long pants and long-sleeve shirts. The literature, however, cites several barriers to these prevention approaches, including sports’ competition rules, the lack of availability of sunscreen, and the lack of information about sun safety behaviors. Sun safety education programs prove effective in getting athletes to participate in prevention strategies. This article reviews the effect of UV radiation on athletes’ skin and provides sports medicine clinicians with suggestions to improve the sun safety behaviors of their athletes.

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Acknowledgments

We report no conflicts of interest or funding sources for any authors of this publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Sphoorthi Jinna

  2. Department of Dermatology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, P.O. Box 670592, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0592, USA

    Brian B. Adams

  3. Section of Dermatology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Brian B. Adams

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  1. Sphoorthi Jinna
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Correspondence to Sphoorthi Jinna.

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This manuscript is our own original work and has not been published or is not being considered for publication elsewhere.

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Jinna, S., Adams, B.B. Ultraviolet Radiation and the Athlete: Risk, Sun Safety, and Barriers to Implementation of Protective Strategies. Sports Med 43, 531–537 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-013-0021-5

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